Investor visa

Foreign citizens who want to start their own business or invest in an existing firm in Dubai can apply for the investor visa in Dubai, UAE also known as the Dubai Partner visa. Dubai allows the holder to live and travel freely inside the UAE for the visa period. A bearer of a investor visa in Dubai, UAE acquires a tax domicile in the UAE. It is no longer liable to taxation by its home country, subject to the restrictions of the investor’s home country.

UAE, also allows the bearer to sponsor their spouse, children, and parents for UAE entry.

There are four categories under which the investor visa in Dubai, UAE is available:

1. Investment in Residential Property:

Applicable to persons who want to invest in residential property worth at least AED 1 million, with a maximum mortgage of 50% of the property’s value. If each investor’s portion of a jointly held property is valued at least AED 1 million, they are qualified to apply.

The investment must be in a single residential property, not commercial real estate. Moreover, the visa only applies to freehold residential properties; applying for investor visa in Dubai, UAE with an off-plan home is not feasible. The visa duration ranges from three to five years, and it can be renewed so long as the investor holds property in the nation.

The three-year visa is accessible to those who have acquired a property worth at least AED 1 million, while the five-year visa needs ownership of a property worth at least AED 5 million.

2. Investment in the Company:

Applicable to people who want to invest in or create a business in Dubai’s mainland or one of Dubai’s free zones. Presently, the Dubai Economy offers over 2,100 business permits to launch a firm on the continent.

Establishing a business on the mainland of Dubai often requires a partner with UAE nationality, who will be the majority stakeholder or an agent responsible for liaising with Government authorities.

By removing the need for commercial businesses to have a majority Emirati shareholder or agent, recent regulatory reforms have made it possible for the first time in the country’s history for 100% foreign ownership of enterprises in Dubai’s mainland. The UAE Cabinet’s policies permit complete foreign ownership of onshore businesses engaged in specific economic activities.

This visa is awarded to investors who possess shares in an existing company worth at least AED 72,000 or are forming a firm with a capital investment of the same amount. For foreign investors, creating a business in one of Dubai’s free zones does not require local sponsors or partners; corporations are immune from taxation, and foreign citizens may hold 100% of the company. The visa application procedure may vary based on factors such as the type of business and the free zone in which it is located.

3. Long-Term Residence Visa:

With this recently introduced visa, investors who satisfy certain conditions are eligible for either a 5- or 10-year residence, depending on the extent of their investment in the country. The spouse, children, manager, and one adviser of the investor may also apply.

The 10-year residency visa is available to investors who invest at least AED 10 million through a deposit in an investment fund within the country, establish a company in the UAE with a capital of at least AED 10 million, partner in an existing or new company with a share value of not less than AED 10 million, or having a total investment of AED 10 million in all of the areas as mentioned earlier.

The 5-year visa is available to investors in a property with a gross value of at least AED 5 million or to entrepreneurs with an established project with a minimum capital of AED 500,000, subject to additional countries.

Only individuals who satisfy other requirements of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs-Dubai are granted a long-term visa. This system, for instance, gives long-term residencies to select persons with specific skills, such as scientists and innovators in the medical, scientific, research, and technical domains.